The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1887-04-08

= Leap . nsa1h Down the ughty-Foos
nhafe - Ne - u<ouls Custom House
G1~svasor-Ths umpslling Causes
Cor Dssd-n Biographical
Dr.. LOUIS March 30 few minutes Ar
Or two o'clock this afternoon Ex-Gov-
crnor Thomas q. Reynolds committed
suicide By plunging headlong down the
elevator shaft q the custom housoL
Chief Janitor Mike Walsh made IN ex-
animation Of the circumstances ~ once.
II appears that Governor Reynolds had
been about the building for some time.
He sauntcred into the United States Cir
cult Court and . few moment later into
Mr.. Selby's once, whore be engaged
In . casual convers alton with that gentle
man. Several persons met him In the
building. After leaving Mr.. Selby he
stood outside tho door in the east cor
ri1or . few minutes and walked slowly
toward the United States district attor-
uey's ONCE. which no did not enter, how
ever. but turned into the north and south
hall, into which tbs assistant United
States district attorneys once and the
narshal's once opened.
just beyond the Nfarshars ONCE he ap
preached tho elevator and stepping into the
gate passed out Of view Of the corridor.
The elevator, which consists Of . platform
connected 70 the cable by m iron yoke,
was II the bottom Of the sub-basc-
ment over eighty feet from the third
floor. While out Of view Of those In tho
corridor he took on his hat and overshocs
and cast himself down the shaft
The body was taken in the patrol wagon
and carried Immediately 70 the Four
Courts, when : letter found In the pocket
WAS turned over 70 The chief Of police
On the outside Of b envelope on the
front was an inscription In pencil The
nrst part Of il was clear. bold = dis
tinct Under the signature was . fur
Their inscription not 20 clear and
written apparently just before the
fatal leap. The whole inscription 80 -
| follows:
Memoranda 70 BE- opened immedissely amer
| my death, but not before.
Tnos. c.
Ny last thought will be for the welfare and
hsppinessof my beloved and devoted wife.
The envelope was opened by the coro-
per. Within was the following letter in
the Governors wcll-known handwriting:
- LETTER
asth March. 1901.
Two years aeo. trusting to my immunity from
fever in . long sojourn IN Vera Cruz I exposed
myself 70 night cir for about . week IN the
Bay Of Panama and q Aspinwsli and got the
Panama malaria into my system had
thought Il eradicated ~ change Of climate and
skiilful medical treatment, but this winter u
showed itself again. Outwardiy seeming
TO b IN almost robust health I
wss troubled with tho malartous
symptoms, which. however. DR.. Jaminet was
skillfuliy treating About ten lay agc' how.
ever. he discovered that ! had latent govt
IN my spine. During Ill this i'll
ness my mind remained clear
and strong. although W. natur-
ally frctful over business nnnoyauces and dis
appointments. Ny Affairs being in order, and
my estate OF about Is .0o. productive and un-
impaired. But within the last few days .
Troubled by insomnia and frequent ncrv-
ousness. I suffer from persistent melan
choly. Ny mind has begun 20 wander. ! have
Authorizations and even visions when ! am
wide awake Of materalixcd spirits Of deceased
relatives and friends urging me BY signs
70 Join them in their world Life has
become : burden 20 me-. I combat the feeling
By resolves to live for the sake Of my dear. de-
voted wife. and then again fear that becoming
. physical or even mental wreck. I will become
. burden 70 her with her fragile constitution,
and my limited estate and loss Of income IN
such an event
Twice before in my life. many years ago. I
had. under similar circumstances. m a.
tack OF what I afterward recog-
nixed q transitory Tor partial dementia.
They we're kept concealed BY those around
me. now all dead. and passed on without evil
results or late, especially within the last two
dayA.I have feared : similar attack, but much
more violent.
an now still In sound mind, and I write
down this statement 50 that should I do any
thing rash my friends may feel assured that
n Was in somc such temporary dis
order OF my mind. In that event rom
mend = myself 10 the mercy OF God and
excellent and devoted wife the sympathy Of my
friends. and especially ask that my body be dis
TBos. c. REYxoLps.
The letter was written in Ink and in 9
strong hand, and the signature was bold
and free.
when Governor Reynolds body arrived
at the morcuc in the Central patrol Wagon
the clothing was found to be stained with
dust and blood. and the condition OF The
body was ample evidence Of the force Of
his fall His usually pleasant looking
face and his gray beard were coveret
enc on his forehead and the other at thu
side Of his nose. His shirt from
VS. snowy white, and hil
clothes was OF neat pattern
He was in his stocking feet and
some OF the buttons on his coat and yes
were missing, having bscn forced OF
when he struck the bottom Of the shaft
His hat and CUTS were laid near his head
on the slab. Many Of the friends and nc
~quaintanccs Of the deceased called 70 look
upon his remains. and many expression
Of deep regret were uttered. Among tn
frat callers were President George w
Allen Of the Council, Manager Lewis o
the Southern Hotel, Mr.. James r
withrow, and other. all Of whom knew
him well. Speaking Of the dcccas
Cd, one Of the sympathetic visitor
made the remark: s'lsn't Il . pit,
that such IN ilustrious career should b
: brought 70 such . shocking cudi He wa
! man II strong intellect and no on
, would evcr dream that his mind wal !
: any way affected. He was m intellectual
giant, and had q perfect command Of tn
languages. He received . thorough edu
I cation It Heidelberg, and that, altoRcthe
I with his Iowa Of reading and studying
gave him : fund Of learning Of whic|
any one might well feel proud"
\ The body was removes from the morgu